Agreed. Though it would have cost a tad more money (there are local taxes here in NY unlike FLA), but we know what we had and it worked out great with Staal.

Plus the PP got better with Richards ABO.
- mames11

Everyone keeps saying the PP improved the second Richards was bought out...but seriously...why? You guys realize we had the best PP we've had in YEARS because Richards QBed it? Who the hell was supposed to QB it before we got Boyle? McDonagh? He's good out there...but no specialist on the point by any means.

Richards mixed it up. He took shots. He passed it. He took one timers. He got the puck on net through traffic. He turned it over a few times which led to odd man rushes the other way, but he was still the best PP QB option this team had.

The pro Stralman guys still haven't explained to me how having at least 5 guys committed long term is beneficial when you have prospects soon to be ready...

Girardi for 6 years
McD for 5 years
Klein for 4 years
Staal will most likely get extended
Stralman for 5 years (same as TB)

And you still have Moore. You have Allen, skjei and McIlrath. And those secondary guys we have. So most of you either wanted staal traded or the prospects traded. Either way you'd still have 5 guys taking up a huge part of the cap...

Can someone tell me if I'm off my rocker explaining this?

The pro Stralman guys still haven't explained to me how having at least 5 guys committed long term is beneficial when you have prospects soon to be ready...

Girardi for 6 years
McD for 5 years
Klein for 4 years
Staal will most likely get extended
Stralman for 5 years (same as TB)

And you still have Moore. You have Allen, skjei and McIlrath. And those secondary guys we have. So most of you either wanted staal traded or the prospects traded. Either way you'd still have 5 guys taking up a huge part of the cap...

Can someone tell me if I'm off my rocker explaining this?
- Slimtj100

we should start selling now

The pro Stralman guys still haven't explained to me how having at least 5 guys committed long term is beneficial when you have prospects soon to be ready...

Girardi for 6 years
McD for 5 years
Klein for 4 years
Staal will most likely get extended
Stralman for 5 years (same as TB)

And you still have Moore. You have Allen, skjei and McIlrath. And those secondary guys we have. So most of you either wanted staal traded or the prospects traded. Either way you'd still have 5 guys taking up a huge part of the cap...

Can someone tell me if I'm off my rocker explaining this?
- Slimtj100

I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing to have your entire defensive core locked up long-term as it allows you to move assets like Skjei for 1st rounders or other forwards. The issue is that you need a couple kids on ELCs in every position so you don't become too forward-heavy or too defense-heavy. If 3 years from now you have Everyone you listed above locked up on defense for 4.5M+ and a guy like John Moore taking the 6th spot at $1.75M, then you'll be forced to load up your offense with a few players on deals worth $1.5M or less. I'd rather have a balanced overall roster with a couple kids on ELC on defense and some bigger contracts on offense.

To be more specific, 2 years from now when Boyle gets off the books, that allows us to insert a kid making $1M. That extra $3.5M can now be spent to upgrade the offense. If Stralman was signed for 5 years, we'd be forced to sign cheap forwards or force kids who aren't ready into the lineup because we wouldn't have that extra $3.5M to spend on the offense.

Also, we have 4 other defensemen like Stralman. McDonagh, Girardi, Staal, and Klein are all steady, solid defensemen good in their own end. We have zero productive and reliable offensive defensemen. Moore is inconsistent and unproductive at best and McDonagh is adding offense but still tends to look a little awkward in the offensive zone at times.

The pro Stralman guys still haven't explained to me how having at least 5 guys committed long term is beneficial when you have prospects soon to be ready...

Girardi for 6 years
McD for 5 years
Klein for 4 years
Staal will most likely get extended
Stralman for 5 years (same as TB)

And you still have Moore. You have Allen, skjei and McIlrath. And those secondary guys we have. So most of you either wanted staal traded or the prospects traded. Either way you'd still have 5 guys taking up a huge part of the cap...

Can someone tell me if I'm off my rocker explaining this?
- Slimtj100

Well...are any of those deals bad? I think they are all really good deals which solidifies the direction of the team since it is built from the goaltending and out.

Perhaps the D Boyle deal for two years means that management fully expects one of the three prospects to make the team after those two seasons. McIlrath will surly need to as his options (sent to AHL) will be exhausted by or before then (I think he's used two of his eligible three years) or he'll be dealt to get a forward.

I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing to have your entire defensive core locked up long-term as it allows you to move assets like Skjei for 1st rounders or other forwards. The issue is that you need a couple kids on ELCs in every position so you don't become too forward-heavy or too defense-heavy. If 3 years from now you have Everyone you listed above locked up on defense for 4.5M+ and a guy like John Moore taking the 6th spot at $1.75M, then you'll be forced to load up your offense with a few players on deals worth $1.5M or less. I'd rather have a balanced overall roster with a couple kids on ELC on defense and some bigger contracts on offense.

To be more specific, 2 years from now when Boyle gets off the books, that allows us to insert a kid making $1M. That extra $3.5M can now be spent to upgrade the offense. If Stralman was signed for 5 years, we'd be forced to sign cheap forwards or force kids who aren't ready into the lineup because we wouldn't have that extra $3.5M to spend on the offense.
- rangerdanger94

The thing is the same guys that want to keep Stralman would be livid if we trade the prospects.

Well...are any of those deals bad? I think they are all really good deals which solidifies the direction of the team since it is built from the goaltending and out.

Perhaps the D Boyle deal for two years means that management fully expects one of the three prospects to make the team after those two seasons. McIlrath will surly need to as his options (sent to AHL) will be exhausted by or before then (I think he's used two of his eligible three years) or he'll be dealt to get a forward.
- mames11

The pint isn't that they are bad...it's not smart to block people. You have one spot for like 7 guys an thats only of Moore isn't here which isn't a fact at the moment

I think if Strahlman only wanted a 2 yr deal that would make the Boyle signing stupid. But we all know that wasnt happening. That's why this debate doesn't make much sense if you ask me

Will be posting this on the next blog as well

Anybody following the prospect scrimmages?

Sounds like Buchnevich is one of the best forwards there. Tambellini is big, physical, and strong. Players have tried to hit him and he just knocks them on their ass...could still beef up more though. Skjei has a great, hard, and quick shot. Definitely ready to go pro.

Also, Gorton mentioned Lindberg along with Miller by name specifically as forward depth at the NHL level.

If Talbot has another great year I pray that Sather signs him by mid season so we can avoid having him walk away for nothing.

If Talbot has another great year I pray that Sather signs him by mid season so we can avoid having him walk away for nothing.
- Maskdman3

It Talbot has a great season again he would be dumb to sign mid season. He won't be a starter in New York. Unless he is fine with being a career backup, he should look elsewhere where he would have a chance to start.

The end of the day this is our team going into next year. Dan Boyle is here and Starlman is not. People can hate it if they want but when the games start they gotta get on board.
- TPC

Very Gene Hackman (Norman Dale) from Hoosiers! I like it.

Just got back into the office. Anyone of note sign today?

Just got back into the office. Anyone of note sign today?
- Pete V

there are currently about 16 Ranger fans standing on top of the Verrazano, and about 100 Islanders fans yelling JUMP!!!

there are currently about 16 Ranger fans standing on top of the Verrazano, and about 100 Islanders fans yelling JUMP!!!
- jimbro83

And the Devils fans couldn't care less as they just didn't show up?

there are currently about 16 Ranger fans standing on top of the Verrazano, and about 100 Islanders fans yelling JUMP!!!
- jimbro83

I'll just say this, I realize we lost some depth. Losing Richards, Boyle, Pouilot, Stralman and Dorsett (and maybe others) will require an adjustment, especially since all of them haven't been replaced (or will be replaced by rookies). But, the roster doesn't have to be work of art on day 1 of the season. Assuming that we don't believe the Rangers will fall of a cliff, then there is time to see what we have with some of our young guys, and readjust in-season if necessary.

And the Devils fans couldn't care less as they just didn't show up?
- airjan23

Insert Dice Clay "ooohhhhh" here.

I'll just say this, I realize we lost some depth. Losing Richards, Boyle, Pouilot, Stralman and Dorsett (and maybe others) will require an adjustment, especially since all of them haven't been replaced (or will be replaced by rookies). But, the roster doesn't have to be work of art on day 1 of the season. Assuming that we don't believe the Rangers will fall of a cliff, then there is time to see what we have with some of our young guys, and readjust in-season if necessary.
- Pete V

Yep, everyone wants the perfect roster molded on July 1. Usually doesn't happen that way.

Anybody following the prospect scrimmages?

Sounds like Buchnevich is one of the best forwards there. Tambellini is big, physical, and strong. Players have tried to hit him and he just knocks them on their ass...could still beef up more though. Skjei has a great, hard, and quick shot. Definitely ready to go pro.

Also, Gorton mentioned Lindberg along with Miller by name specifically as forward depth at the NHL level.
- rangerdanger94

Makes my day! Duclair there?

Leslie Traff says she doesn't see anyone who can make a meaningful impact with the Rangers this year besides Skjei if he turns pro. Other guys at camp include Bodie, Duclair, Fogarty, St. Croix, Kantor, Haggerty, Tmabellini, Nicholls.

Makes my day! Duclair there?
- TJ

Duclair was creating offense but couldn't finish. Pat Leonard describes him as athletic, shifty, smart. Calls him "a player" and loves his game.

Leslie Traff says that after Buchnevich plays out the final year of his contract this upcoming season that he will come over to North America. She goes on to say that has the potential to make a major impact when he comes.

She says Duclair will most likely go back to juniors. Buchnevich is the most improved prospect in attendance. Physically, he has added a lot of size and strength. Sounds like he's signing an NHL/AHL deal next summer.

Leslie Traff says she doesn't see anyone who can make a meaningful impact with the Rangers this year besides Skjei if he turns pro. Other guys at camp include Bodie, Duclair, Fogarty, St. Croix, Kantor, Haggerty, Tmabellini, Nicholls.
- rangerdanger94

It does make sense that Duclair isn't ready this year. The guys that have played in the A and some at the NHL level (Miller, Fast, etc.) are the guys that are way more likely to make the jump next year. Duclair still needs some time. The question is whether he will sustain his level in juniors this year, or will he take a step back (i.e., Christian Thomas).

Leslie Traff says that after Buchnevich plays out the final year of his contract this upcoming season that he will come over to North America. She goes on to say that has the potential to make a major impact when he comes.

She says Duclair will most likely go back to juniors. Buchnevich is the most improved prospect in attendance. Physically, he has added a lot of size and strength. Sounds like he's signing an NHL/AHL deal next summer.
- rangerdanger94

Geordie Clark has done such a good job in the draft, to get 3 players in the 3rd round that look like steals is amazing